SNP’s Beattie says sorry for missing question slot

Published on 01/06/2012 12:00

LOTHIANS MSP Colin Beattie has apologised after failing to show up to ask a scheduled question at Holyrood – less than a fortnight after a party colleague was lambasted for the same offence.

The SNP backbencher missed his spot at general questions, two weeks after Joan McAlpine was reprimanded for the same offence, prompting Labour MSP Paul Martin to comment that the “SNP need to up their game”.

It emerged Ms McAlpine’s no-show was because she was dining barely 50 yards away in the MSP restaurant with the First Minister.

An SNP spokesman said: “Mr Beattie has apologised to the Presiding Officer. She has accepted his apology and now considers the matter to be closed.”